The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday warning NATO and Ukraine against “adventurous steps” in Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova where some 1,500 Russian troops are stationed.
He warned that while Moscow is in favor of using ‘political and diplomatic means’ to solve all problems, Russian forces will ensure the ‘protection of their compatriots’ in Colbasna in Transnistria and ‘respond adequately’ to any provocations. from Kyiv.
“Any action that poses a threat to their security will be considered, in accordance with international law, as an attack on the Russian Federation,” the statement added.
Ukrainian officials recently accused Russia of plotting to destabilize Moldova. On February 13, Moldovan President Maia Sandu echoed Ukraine’s claims and accused Russia of intending to use “military-trained saboteurs dressed as civilians” to destabilize the country.
“President Zelensky’s statements about the Russian Federation’s plans to destabilize the Republic of Moldova have been confirmed by our institutions,” she said.
Late Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that kyiv had “intensified its efforts to prepare for an invasion of the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic”.
A prominent Russian military blogger, who goes by the name WarGonzo, said that “given that we have no direct ground supply in Transnistria and the hostile Moldovan government will certainly not allow our air force to fly , the Russian garrison in Transnistria is now probably in the most vulnerable position, compared to the position on other fronts.”
Ukraine responds: Responding to Russian accusations that it is strengthening its forces near Moldovan territory, a spokesman for the Ukrainian State Border Service said that the Ukrainian army and National Guard had taken “increased measures on the border with Transnistria”, but only “to prevent any provocation from the other side”. .”
“Ukraine has always paid attention to Transnistria, because it is in fact an enclave of Russia, which could have been used against our state as early as February 24 last year,” said the door. -speaker, Andrii Demchenko.
“Fortunately, we haven’t recorded any active or provocative action in this direction either,” Demchenko added.
CNN’s Mariya Knight contributed to this report.